White House Gaggle

By Gregory Gorman
September 30, 2005

President’s Schedule

The President had his usual intelligence and hurricane briefings this morning and had a brief conversation with Indian Prime Minister Singh to discuss inter-country relations and plans for implementing the July 18th U.S./India Joint Communiqué. Following the conversation, the President taped his radio address focusing on terrorism and Iraq. Later this morning, he will travel to Fort Myer, Virginia to pay tribute to General Myers, outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In a note of interest, Press Secretary Scott McClellan announced that General Pace, the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, will be the first Marine to hold the post. This afternoon the President will have lunch with Vice President Cheney and will depart for Camp David for the weekend.

Supreme Court Vacancy

McClellan stated that the President has completed the consultative phase with the United States Senate after having met with over 80 Senators and all 18 members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. McClellan reiterated that the President’s consultations for his next Supreme Court nominee have surpassed the level of consultation for the first vacancy. McClellan said, "The President believes that the consultative process is a very important part of the nominating process". When asked for the President’s next step in the nomination process, McClellan stated, "You should work under the assumption that we are in a window when the President could be making an announcement". When he is ready to make his announcement he will do so". When asked if the President will be taking nominee briefing material to Camp David over the weekend, McClellan responded, "He always takes briefing materials with him to Camp David".

Valerie Plame Investigation

In response to a question asking if McClellan himself felt burned by Karl Rove or L. Lewis "Scooter" Libby when he was assured by the two men that they were not involved in leaking Valerie Plame’s name to the media as a CIA operative, McClellan responded that the question relates to an ongoing investigation and that the administration’s policy "has been and continues to be not to comment". McClellan continued by saying that the President has directed the White House to operate fully in the investigation and that he wants it to come to a successful conclusion and "get to the bottom of it". Upon further questioning, McClellan referred the matter to Libby’s lawyers or to the special prosecutor investigating the case.

Taiwan Policy

In response to a question asking if the United States’ one- China policy has changed based on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s comment on August 26, 2005 referring to Taiwan as a sovereign nation, McClellan clearly stated that the U.S. policy remains the same. The administration believes there should be no change in the status quo and urges China and Taiwan to engage in dialogue to resolve the issues.

President’s Week Ahead

On Sunday, President Bush will return to Washington from Camp David to attend the 52nd Annual Red Mass at St. Matthew’s Cathedral. On Monday, the President will attend the Investiture Ceremony for Chief Justice John Roberts at the Supreme Court on the opening day of the 2005 term followed by a meeting with Prime Minister of Malta. He has no public events currently planned for Tuesday or Wednesday. On Thursday, he will make remarks on the War on Terrorism and participate in a tribute to National Review Magazine. On Friday, he will meet with the Prime Minister of Hungary and make remarks for Hispanic Heritage Month.